Essential Reccordings

Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel was one of the most important and iconic figures in France’s rich musical history. He is widely regarded as a master of the modern chanson. His songs have been covered by countless francophone performers, and English versions have been sung by such diverse artists as The Kingston Trio, Judy Collins, Dusty Springfield, Frank Sinatra, Leonard Cohen, Andy Williams, Nina Simone, Scott Walker, David Bowie, Ray Charles, and Nirvana, among countless others. He sold over 25 million records worldwide, including over 12 million albums and singles in France and Belgium alone.

Presented here are some of Brel’s most celebrated songs, recorded during the earliest stages of his career for the Philips and Barclay labels between 1954 and 1962. These sides chart Brel’s evolution from obscurity to one of the most influential European artists of the 20th century.